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Adventures on the Silk Road

Adventures on the Silk Road
Starts: Tashkent
Ends: Tashkent
Best time to travel: March-April-May, September-October-November


Day 1: Tashkent - Urgench - Khiva (morning flight)
You will arrive to Tashkent and meet your guide and start your travelling in amazing Uzbekistan. From here, you will have short flight to Urgench. Then drive to the oldest city of the country. In Khiva, the exciting tour is waiting for you. It will start from city monument Ichan-Qala. It is the central part of Khiva, rounded by strong walls. There are ancient palaces, sound buildings, and mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses, which makes Ichan-Qala extraordinary. Ichan-Qala proud of about 60 architecturally important buildings and 400 traditional dwelling houses. The territory of Ichan-Qala was announced as a historical and architectural protected area in 1969. The most attractive sites of Icha-Qala are Kunya -Ark fort constructed by Muhammad Arang Khan in 17^th century. Others are the perfect forms of old Khorezm architecture: Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace, built in 1830s. You will spend night in a hotel.

Day 2: Khiva - Bukhara
Early in the morning, we will travel to city of Bukhara. Bukhara is a town museum in Uzbekistan with more than 140 architectural heritages of Middle Ages where you will have a tour tomorrow. The history of the town left different monuments of different epoch. The city is full of narrow streets, beautiful parks and gardens. On the way to Bukhara, you will drive through the sand dunes of Kizilkum deserts. You will also be able to see the deepest Central Asian River-Amu Darya. It is the joint of Panj and Vakhsh river, started in Tajikistan's territory. It is one of the tributaries of Aral Sea. After our arrival, have free time to relax. Night in a hotel.

Day 3: Bukhara
Today will be enjoyable tour of Bukhara city. The first site is oldest citadel of Bukhara - Citadel Ark dating back to 4th century that attracts many travellers. Many Bukhara Emirate dynasties used this place as a residence. The next will be masterpiece of 9th-10th century architecture -Samanids mausoleum. Then tour will continue to the Chashma Ayub (Spring od Job) and Bolo-Hauz mosque, also famous as a mosque of 40 columns built for the memory of the city's governor Abu-Fayud Khan in Uzbekistan. Later, you explore authentic shopping domes and outstanding madrasahs like Nodir Divan Begi under the Lyabi House Ensemble, the remarkable site of Bukhara. Poi Kalon complex consist of three constructions will end your city the tour. There are Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah, the extraordinary forms of artwork dating back to 12th-16th centuries. Night is in a hotel.

Day 4: Bukhara - Gijduvan - Samarkand
In the morning, you will move to Samarkand for travelling. En route, you will visit the outstanding private pottery workshop. It is located at the Gijduvan village. This ceramic school has its long history. Valuable skill of working with ceramics passed from ancestors to sons. Nowadays, Gijduvan is famous for its six-generation of potters from family of Narzullayevs, this fact makes it worldly known in Uzbekistan. The uniqueness of Gijduvan ceramic school are geometric ornaments and green, blue colors, used in creating a design. Continue driving to Samarkand and stay in a hotel.

Day 5: Samarkand
Magical city Samarkand is located in the Zerafshan river valley and known as the second biggest city in whole Uzbekistan. It is one of the oldest cities, coeval with Babylon and Rome. Sightseeing covers famous Registan square, stunning Shakhi-Zindeh, Guri Emir Mausoleum and Bibi Khanum Mosque. The first visit must be to Registan square. It charms millions of people with its unique beauty. Three beautiful Madrasah buildings rounding the square are the masterpieces of 15-17^th centuries. Another architectural complex is the heritage of UNESCO - Shakhi-Zindeh, dating back to 11^th-15^th centuries. It represents the largest assemble of mausoleums. The last site is Bibi Khanum Mosque, constructed for the honor of Tamerlane's wife in Uzbekistan, following his victorious conquer to India. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 6: Samarkand - Tashkent (transfer or train)
Morning train will take you to capital city Tashkent where travellers usually start their tour. Upon arrival, you will start full day interesting city tour. Central Square of the city is Independent Square, constructed for the memory of the victory over the fascist Germany during the Second World War. Later, you will go through the local Broadway, which leads to Amir Timur Square, famous in Uzbekistan. Then you will have sightseeing in the ancient part of the city: blooming Chorsu Bazaar, old Kukaldash Madrasah and famous Has Imam complex consist of many madrasah, mosques and mausoleum. The remarkable exhibit of the complex is the world's oldest Quran copy - Othman Quran, dating back to 8^th century. This valuable heritage belonged to Othman Ibn Affan, who came after the prophet Muhammad. Later he was assassinated by non-muslims in 8^th c. Today it is possible to see his blood stains on the Quran. Night will be at the hotel.

Day 7: Tashkent - Chimgan Mountains - Tashkent
After breakfast at the hotel, you will leave to Chimgan Mountains. There you will ride 30-munite chair lift to get Beldersay Peak, the top of the mountain. After reaching, you can have free time to take a walk or just enjoy the scenery. On the way back, we will make a break at Charvak Lake. Here you can relax on the beach of try some activities on the water (seasonally). Charvak is an artificial lake. It is the most popular summer destination of citizens of Uzbekistan and neighboring countries. Everyone come to spend some few days far from city noise. Return to Tashkent. Stay in a hotel. End of travelling in Uzbekistan.

Day 8: Flight
Today is the last day of the tour, transfer to the airport according to the flight time.